1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned constituent to express my opposition to proposals that would expand the Pentagon’s authority to take ownership stakes in private companies. Recent reports indicate that the Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act would create a mechanism allowing the Department of Defense to purchase equity interests in private businesses deemed critical to national security. This would further institutionalize government ownership in private industry and represents a troubling expansion of federal power. Regardless of political party, Americans should be deeply concerned when the federal government becomes both regulator and investor in private companies. This creates obvious conflicts of interest, invites favoritism, and raises serious questions about whether taxpayer dollars are being used to advance national security or to benefit politically connected corporations and investors. The government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers in the marketplace. If Congress believes a critical industry requires support, there are already mechanisms available through contracts, grants, research funding, and targeted procurement. Direct ownership stakes are a fundamentally different level of involvement that risks blurring the line between public service and private profit. I am particularly concerned about the potential for abuse, lack of transparency, and the appearance of insider influence when federal officials have the power to determine which companies receive taxpayer backed investments. Public trust in government is already strained, and policies like this only deepen concerns about favoritism and corruption. I urge you to oppose any effort to expand the Pentagon’s authority to acquire ownership interests in private companies and to support strong oversight, transparency, and conflict of interest protections regarding any existing investments. Thank you for your time and consideration. I would appreciate knowing your position on this issue.